Fifth-wheel



(No Model.)

W. M. THOMPSON.

FIFTH WHEEL. I

No. 869,268. Patented Aug. 80, 1887.

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IVESLEY M. THOMPSON, OF TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

$PECIPICATION forming part Of Letters Patent'No. 369,268, dated August 30, 1887.

Application filed September 1, 1886. Serial 210112.377. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WEsLEY M. THOMPSON, of Texarkana, in the county of Miller and State of Arkansas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fifth-Vheelawhich improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings,in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved fifth-wheel; Fig. 2, an under view of thesame, and Fig. 3 a transverse vertical section centrally of the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in fiftlrwheelawhcrein I provide two plates, the under of which is attached to the axle, and provided with wings laterally and a coneshaped part centrally, and the upper composed of a single disk having an inturned flange on the lower side, at opposite sides, which permits of the opposite plate being placed in position and partially rotated and thus secured, while the cone-shaped central part of the lower plate rests within a central opening of the upper plate, and the whole secured in position by means of the usual kingbolt. By this construction the device is so arranged that dirt, gravel, and grit cannot come in contact with the operating parts of the device, all of which will now be fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the axle, B the perch-block, and O the springs, of an ordinary vehicle. Upon the cap of the axle A, I secure a disk, 1), formed centrally, with an oppositely-projecting cone part, E, so disposed that the upper part may receive the head of the bolt F. This plate is secured to the axle by means of the bolt or clip G. This plate is provided with lateral segmental lugs H, each one extending around about one fourth of the periphery of the plate D. Over this plate D, I provide a supplementary plate, I, having centrally an opening, J, so disposed as to receive the upper end of the cone-shaped part E therein. Laterally this plate has a downturned peripheral flange, K, of a such a size as to permit the plate D of resting therein, and this flange K has two 0ppositely disposed lugs, L, thereon at such distances apart as to permit of the insertion of the lugs H, and by rotating the one plate and the other one-fourth of the distance around the said lugs L will prevent it from becoming detached from the upper plate. The two plates D and I being generally of a cup shape, and when matched together having their concave faces toward each other,wil1 bear on each other only at their edges or rims, and so move on each other very easily and without any onnecessary friction.

In operating my device the upper plate, I, is attached to the spring,while the lower plate is attached to the axle A. The axle is' then turned around parallel with the reach and the plate I placed upon the plate D, so that the lugs or parts H of the lower plate will enter the spaces between the lugs on the under side of the upper plate. The axle is then turned around in the position as ordinarily used,when the two plates will be securely locked together, and all that is necessary to detach them for cleaning or other purposes is to again turn the axle around at right angles to its ordinary position or parallel with the reach.

The belt F, as already shown, which engages with the main piece E, has a washer and nut, M, over the central part of the plate I, which secures the two together, and simply necessitates removing in order to detach the two plates.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new is- The combination of the axle A, the cupshaped plate D, secured to said axle, and having the peripheral flanges H, and a central cone-piece, E, with the cup'shapcd piece I, having a downturned rim, K, flanged at L, to fit over said flange H of the plate D, and having a central opening, J, to fit upon the cone E, and the bolt and nut F and M, the perchblock B, and spring 0, all constructed and combined as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand, this 17th day of June, 1886, in the presence of witnesses.

WESLEY M. THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

Fem) A. Cannon, IRA A. Gannon. 

